The Bible For Normal People

In this podcast, Aaron Higashi discusses the freedom of interpretation in 1 & 2 Samuel, highlighting the transition to monarchy, multiple perspectives, ambivalence towards kingship, women's roles, and tragic themes with potential resolutions. The discussion enriches the narrative complexity and relevance of these ancient stories in today's world.

Comedian Pete Holmes discusses oneness with God, identity as a Christian, and the parable of the prodigal son. They explore faith in Christ beyond labels, the inclusive nature of God's mercy, and perceiving reality as God's dream. The podcast also delves into the intersection of comedy and Christianity, navigating honesty in sermons, and diverse paths in faith journeys.

Bart Ehrman, New Testament scholar, joins Pete and Jared to discuss the historical reliability of the Gospels, highlighting the roles of oral tradition, authorial bias, and contradictions within the texts. They explore the criteria historians use to evaluate ancient written accounts and the impact of ancient historical consciousness on accuracy. They also discuss how the gospels were shaped by community beliefs and interpretations, as well as explore birth narratives, contradictions, and arguments against the mythicist belief.

Behind-the-scenes clips from Season 7 and Season 1. Benefits of microdosing for sleep. Faith, beliefs, and the evolution of scripture. Discussion on Canaanite settlements and biblical stories. Sarcastic outtake and a musical performance.

Pete Enns and Jared Byas discuss the historical context of Jesus' birth, the challenges of interpreting the virgin birth, the importance of understanding cultural and historical factors, and their intention to bring new meaning to Christmas while wrestling with the complexities of the Bible.

Adil Hussain Khan, Islamic scholar specializing in interreligious dialogue, joins Pete and Jared to discuss the story of Abraham in Islam, differences between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, and the effectiveness of interreligious dialogue.

Guest Ekaputra Tupamahu analyzes the history and interpretation of speaking in tongues in the Bible. They discuss its origins, its importance in the early church, and its association with the Church of Corinth. The phenomenon's connection to language, including personal experiences and struggles faced by immigrants, is explored. The contrasting views of language as divine or stemming from human emotion is discussed. The chapter also looks into how the early Christian movement handled multilingualism.

Pádraig Ó Tuama, Irish poet and theologian, joins hosts Pete Enns and Jared Byas to explore the Bible through the lens of poetry. They discuss the relationship between poetry and theology, interpretations and cultural contexts of biblical texts, personal connection to Christianity and Catholicism, the power of imagination and wonder, and the role of curiosity and embracing different perspectives in interpreting the biblical story.

Expert on the origins of the Hebrew Bible, Jacob L. Wright, discusses why the Bible began as a way to unite a people group in the midst of defeat. The podcast explores an alternate perspective on the origins of the Bible, the power dynamics behind its creation, the presence of defeat in Torah and the Exodus story, and the role of women in the Bible and its impact on origins and reception.

Guest Grace Ji-Sun Kim discusses how theology impacts marginalized communities and the theology of visibility. They explore the problematic aspects of the Bible, understanding visibility and intersectionality in oppression, the enrichment of theology through personal storytelling, the interconnectedness of theology and biography, and the subjectivity of theological interpretation.